Handmade and vegan lip care - lipfein from Dresden

Handmade, vegan, natural, and mineral oil-free – that's the philosophy behind lipfein, the natural cosmetics brand founded by Marie Herrmann. Marie's products are authentic and unique. In an interview, Marie tells us why she started her own business and whether she still makes all the products herself.

1. Marie, how did you come to produce vegan lip care products?

The answer is actually quite simple: I've been vegan for several years now and was looking for a suitable product. I couldn't really find anything that quite fit the bill. So I started ordering raw materials and experimenting with them in my kitchen. I enjoyed it so much that I couldn't stop until I had created the perfect lip balm for me.
I was on parental leave at home with my second child and looking for an exciting project to pursue. That's how the idea for my own natural cosmetics label was born. The focus is on lip care because it's such a wonderful, emotional topic. #becausekissingrocks

lipfein is 100% handmade, urban and natural, organic and vegan, fair and beautiful. lipfein is produced gently, ensuring that valuable ingredients don't evaporate but end up on your lips. lipfein is free of parabens and silicones, aluminum and mineral oil, synthetics, animal-derived ingredients, and microplastics (lipfein website).

2. You have a degree in political science and are a mediator. Why did you take the plunge into self-employment with your own natural cosmetics brand, lipfein, and did it take a lot of courage?

I took the plunge into self-employment so I could be there for my children as much as possible while still having meaningful work that would allow me to earn a living. The decision to become self-employed didn't actually require any effort on my part, because I simply can't imagine myself in a permanent, salaried position. Of course, I had my doubts at times, especially regarding financial decisions, but I was always convinced that my idea had potential.

3. What makes your products so special?

What makes my products special is a mix of different aspects:
They are all lovingly handcrafted. I feel it's very important to emphasize this, because it makes each individual product unique, a small work of art. Over the past few years, I've observed that more and more people have a growing appreciation for handmade items. In a time when most things happen digitally, this is understandable.
Furthermore, the quality of the raw materials is crucial. They are all natural, largely organic, and purely plant-based. As a result, lipfein balms possess excellent care properties and are also very economical. Many customers report that they enjoy their lipfeins for a very long time.
Finally, the design stands out from other products. From the beginning, it was important to me that my lip care product was visually appealing and simply fun to use.

4. Regarding packaging: You use tin cans, right? How difficult was it for you to find the right ones, especially when more and more people are trying to avoid packaging and plastic?

Phew… finding the “perfect” packaging was a real challenge! And let me tell you, there is no such thing as THE perfect solution. Because, when you think about it, every material has its pros and cons. It's important to look closely and weigh the options. My principle is to choose the options that cause the least damage and are financially feasible for me. A good dose of pragmatism is definitely necessary. There are certainly better materials, especially regarding sourcing, such as bamboo. However, I (still) lack the minimum order quantities to have such “exotic” packaging produced for my products.
For me, tinplate is a good compromise. It has a high recycling rate, and after use, the tin can either be returned to the recycling loop or used for other things.

5. Do you handle the complete production of lipfein lip care products?

Yes! I actually handle the entire production myself. Every step is done by hand. Luckily, I have a great employee who supports me ;-)

6. Your crowdfunding campaign is about to launch. Tell us briefly what it's all about and how we can support you.

Oh, yes! That's my favorite topic right now! So: My big goal by autumn 2018 is to get my lip balms certified as natural cosmetics. Besides time and patience, this naturally requires the necessary funds. And that's exactly what this crowdfunding campaign is for. I'd like to raise a total of €6,000 by June 12th. I've come up with some great thank-you gifts for my supporters. Anyone who wants to participate can find all the information at www.startnext.com/lipfein . I'd also be incredibly grateful to anyone who shares the campaign.
You can find more information about Marie on Marie's Facebook page and her Instagram channel .